Mangano Increases Police Presence in Merrick Community for Kids Fest

Merrick, NY - In light of several "stranger" incidences in the Merrick community, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today directed the Nassau County Police Department to increase patrols and heighten security in the Merrick neighborhood, especially this weekend during Kids Fest. In addition, County Executive Mangano’s office will be at the Merrick Kids Fest offering free Child Identification Cards to attendees.

“Our children are our most precious resource and their safety is my number one priority,” said County Executive Mangano. “Nassau County police officers and detectives have been put on high alert and will work diligently to keep our residents and children safe. I call on our residents to assist the police department by participating in our ‘See Something, Say Something’ campaign. If anything seems out of the ordinary, please call 911 immediately.”

On Monday, County Executive Mangano will join with police and school officials at a press conference to discuss further security measures. Details to be announced.

Here are some of the most recent reported incidences:

  • April 26, 2013: At approximately 7:45a.m., at the corner of Merrick Avenue and Smith Street, an 8th grade male student who was walking to school was approached by a Hispanic man on the sidewalk. The man spoke to the student in Spanish and attempted to grab him by the arm but failed to make physical contact. The man appeared to be in his late thirties with a mustache, a dark jacket, dark blue jeans, and bushy black hair. The student ran away from the man and the man did not follow him. The student immediately reported the incident to the main office at Merrick Avenue Middle School and the Nassau County Police came to the school to investigate.
  • April 19, 2013 - The North Merrick School District reported the following: Right after dismissal, three 6th grade students, walking home near Fraser and William Streets, when a 4 door grayish car with a male driver approached. The driver attempted to communicate with the students and the students wisely ran away. The children are safe and a police report was made.
  • April 18, 2013 - Late afternoon, a white van followed a 6th Grader home from her bus stop near Bay and Harbor yesterday. The parent filed a report with the 7th Precinct.
  • April 10, 2013: At about 7:43 am, an 8th grader from Grand Avenue Middle School was approached by an old beat up green four door sedan. The student was walking to school on Grand avenue when the green sedan heading west on Grand slowed down. The driver appeared to be a Hispanic male in his mid-twenties with black hair and short facial hair. He began waving the student over to his car and then rolled down the window. At that point, the student ran back home. Subsequently, the student’s parents called and filed a report with the local police